Balloons, cupcakes and a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday all formed part of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust (QEH) celebrations to mark 75 years of the National Health Service (NHS).
Today (Wednesday 5 July) teams across QEH joined together to reminisce, reflect and celebrate the wonder that is the NHS, 75 years after it was formed. Team QEH staff were encouraged to wear something NHS blue in celebration of the big 75.
The Trust began the day handing out cupcakes to their hardworking teams, led by CEO Alice Webster as her way of saying thank you to those on the frontline who keep the hospital running smoothly.
Celebrations were held more locally across the Trust, with staff on Rudham children’s ward hosting a tea party for their patients and teams from across the hospital enjoying selfie photo booth to mark the occasion. The day was brought to a close with special NHS75 Celebration Afternoon Tea – a joint celebration for NHS75 along with 70 years collaboration with the League of Friends. The event was an opportunity to celebrate a cohort of staff and volunteers who are the core of Team QEH and to look back at old archive books and photos.
Chief Executive, Alice Webster, said: “I have been part of the NHS for more than 35 years and there truly is no other organisation like it. I am proud of who we are now, where we’ve come from and where we are going both here at Team QEH and the wider NHS. It’s a privilege to be here to celebrate with staff, volunteers, and patients alike – they are the core of everything we do here.”
The new QEH public piano, Alicia Keys, joined the occasion, with two staff members gathering round give a lovely rendition of Happy Birthday for the NHS and our League of Friends.
One attendee to the celebrations was Aileen Shore who has worked in the NHS for 50 years. Aileen started her career in 1973 at the then West Norfolk and King’s Lynn General Hospital, moving to the QEH in 1980 when it opened.
Aileen has worked in a variety of roles at QEH in her 50 years’ service and is currently a Sister in Main Theatre Recovery.
Aileen said: “I love my job and the people I work with. I love people and caring for them, and I have been so fortunate to have had so many great mentors over the years. I will retire later this year – on the 6 September – which will be my 50th anniversary in the NHS to the day!”
If you would like to mark NHS75 you can donate to the QEH King’s Lynn Charity’s Dementia Care Appeal here. Your support will make a real difference to QEH patients living with dementia: https://justgiving.com/campaign/QEHDementiaCareAppeal
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For further information, please contact Communications Team, media.enquiries@qehkl.nhs.uk or 01553 613216.
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